Kef actuated sound producing



Sept.`26 1939. H. cHAsKlN KEY ACTUATED SOUND PRODUCING IECHANISI FiledJune 9. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGJ FIG.J

INVENToR. HA @L0 CHA S/f//V A TTORNEY.

Sept. 26, 1939.

H. cHAsKlN 42,174,031

KEY ACTATED SOUND PRODUCING IECHANISI Filed June 9*. 1937 y 3Sheets-Sheet 54 xxi /.6 g/A U u u u muuunuuunnh FIG. 5

INVENToR. HAROL MSK/N Patented Sept. 26, 1939 PATENT OFFICE- KEYAcrUA'rEn SOUND` raonucmc MECHANI Harold Chaskin, New York, N. Y.

Application June 9, 1937, Serial No. 147,219

3Claims.

This invention relates to sound producing mechanisms which areresponsive to key set motor actuated devices such as a cash register forexample and has forits object to provide an improved device of thisclass.

Another vobject is to provide a sound producing mechanism capable ofcalling out any desired monetary value without the necessity of aseparate key for each sound or value.

Referring to the drawings- Fig. 1 is a wiring diagram of the keycontrolled switches.

Fig. 2 illustrates the sound producing records.

Fig. 3 shows one of the sound producing recv1'5 ords, itsstyius and arm.

Fig. 4 is a section through the arm of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is the timing mechanism.

- Fig. 6 is an end view of the timing mechanism showing the brushes.

Fig. 7 shows the key operated switches.

Fig. 8 is a left side view of the device of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 illustratesthe wiring diagram for the sound producing mechanism and speaker.

Dishonesty of a sales clerk in ringing up the value of a purchase in acash register may be minimized if a sound producing mechanismsimultaneously notifies the purchaser of the value registered. Priorsuggestions for such devices haven, required too many keys, especiallyin 30, amounts ending in the teens. Another objection has been thenecessity for pressing keys in the desired sequence, not always an easymatter fora hurried clerk. According to this invention lno separate keys85 are needec' for the teens and the keys may be pressed in any sequenceor simultaneously, yet the emitted sounds are properly timed.

For purposes of illustration this invention is shown applied for cashregister keys for recording any amount from $.01 to $9.99 by the use ofthe usual twenty-seven keys, though of course the invention isapplicable to key actuated devices having a more or'less number of keys.

l In Fig. l are shown switches actuated by three rows of keys, those onthe left being responsive to\ the units or cents key's, the central onesbeing actuated by the dimes column keys and those on the rightresponsive to the keys of the dollars column. Of course the dollarsactuated keys may be placed on the left and the cents ou the right,

. if desired, without affecting this invention. Current is supplied fromthe busbars I0 and II. An additional switch part I2 is responsive to anextra-key located preferably at the bottom of the M. machine which mustbe pressed after the numbered key or keys have been actuated. Onpressing this extra key the switch part I2 bridges the gap between theswitch elements I 3 closing Athe circuit through the electric motorl I4which drives the sound producingv mechanism and timingv de- 5. vice ofthis invention.

If the lower key of the right hand column is numbered to designate onedollar, then pressing this key causes the switch part I5 to bridge thegap illustrated below it closing the circuit until 10 after the soundmechanism has operated. After closingthe motorcircuit the switch I 6 ofthe timing mechanism closes the circuit through the magnet I1 at theproper time to cause a stylus to engage the sound mechanism. Afterclosing the $1.00 key and actuating the lower key for switch part I2,the circuit is from the bus I0 through the wires I8, I9 and 20, switchesI5, I6, magnet I1,wire 23, switch I2 and I3 to the' bus I I, as well asactuating the` motor by current 20 flowing from the wire I9 through themotor and the switch I2, I3.

If the third key from the bottom in the middie column be numbered "3 toindicate 30 then on pressing this key the switch 2I is closed. After 25the motor has turned the timing device the switch 2 IA is later closedcompleting the circuit through the electromagnet ZIB and current thenflows from the wire I9 through the switch 2|, switch 2IA, magnet ZIB tothe wire 22 `which is con- 30 nected as illustrated to the wire 23. Ifboth the $1.00 key and the 30 key are simultaneously depressed thetiming device closes the switch I6 to causev the $1.00 sound toA beemitted before closing the switch ZIA to emit the 30 sound, as will be35 described hereinafter in connection with the timing device.

Assuming the fifth key from' the bottom of the left column is numberedfor 5, then on depressing this key both the switch parts 24 and 25 are40 depressed, switch part 24 opening the circuit from the contacts aboveit and closing the circuit through the contacts below it. Assuming thatonly this 5cA key is depressed and no other monetary key actuated at thesame time, then 4I the circuit will be from the wire I8, I9, through theswitch part 26 (to be described later), the wire 28, the contacts belowvthe switch part 2|, switch 24A, magnetluB, wires 29 and 23 and switchI2 and I3 as before. The 10 key of the 50 middle column depresses twoswitch parts 28 and 21. If the 10 key and the 5 key are depressed`substantially simultaneously then the circuit is through the wire I8,switchpart 21 closing the contacts below it, wire 30 through thecontacts 55 -to the bus II.

In Fig. 2 is shown the layout of the drive mechanism from the motor I4through the gears 3| to the timing device 32 and the sound records 33and 34. Adjacent each record'are a plurality of arms 35, each carrying astylus 36, as shown in Fig. 3'. Beneath each arm is a magnet 31.containing a winding as illustrated in conection with Fig. 1.On'actuation of the magnet 31 its arma.- ture 38 is depressed againstthe action of the spring 39 allowing the ann 35 to rest by gravity.

with the stylus upon the sound record. The travel of each stylus alongthe sound record is comparatively short and for the desired purpose eacharm is pivoted at 40 to allow this limited travel.

lOrl the underside of each arm,35 is an arcuate or cam surface 4I vasshown in Fig. 4 resting on a roller 42 carried by the armature 38 so.that when the magnet hasr been deenergize'd the spring 39 raises thearmature 38 and arm 35 to disengage the stylus from the sound record.'Ihis cam surface 4I causes the arm 35 to be slightly rotated about itspivot 40 due to gravity in order Vthat 4the stylus .3G may be returnedto its original Aor startingP position with respect tothe sound record.

vThe timing-device 32 is shownin Fig.- 5 as being comprised of a numberof segments each of which is adapted to bridge a pair of brushes. Thesegments IE Jare each for closing the circuit through some one 4of thedollar switches. The segments numbered ZIA are each for the dimes andthose numbered 24A` and 25A for the cents. The nine `segments 24A arefor the cents. Nine other segments 25A include the teen cents, that isfor the cents when actuated in combination with the l0 key. A-segment26A is for the 10c key. l

At the right -end of the timer is a short segment 4S which controls thecash register motor. As is usual the cash register motor records theamount of thesale and also releases the depressed keys. The last andlong segment 41 closes the circuit through the loud speaker.

In Fig. 6 brushes 48 and 49 are arranged for each of the segments sothat while the segment bridges .these brushes the circuit through themis closed. The angular extent of the segment and the spacing of thebrushes .control the duration' of time that `the .circuiti is closedthrough the particular electromagnet which actuates some one of theseveral Styli.

There are altogether thirty six arms 35 and Styli for theapparatusillustrated.4 The dollar segments I6 are in advance Yof the dimesegments 2IA in order that the dollars may be called out by theappropriate sound record before actuation Iof the desired sound recordfor the dimes column. The segments 24A,. 26A and 25A being arrangedstill later cause the cents to be called out after the dollars anddimes.

In Fig. 'Tis illustrated one of the unit or cents keys of a' cashregister mounted 0n a stem 50 to which is attached a horizontal member5I preferably of insulating material carrying the switch parts 24 and25. Beneath each of these switch parts are the contacts 52 and 53adapted to be bridged by the conductor bars 24 and 25. Above only one ofthe contacts are the bridging contacts adapted to be closed when the keyis in normal position as was described above in connection with theoperation of the 5 key.

Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. 7 and shows the switch parts attached tothe keys of an existing cash register whereby the entire sound producingmechanism may be made as an attachment for cash registers'. All of thearms 35 are connected in parallel with thefloud speaker 54v as shown inFig. 9 so that after the speaker segment l 41 has been closed and anyone of the arms 35 actuated, the sound produced is electricallytranscribed by the speaker 54.

The separate key actuating the switch I2 must be depressed after theother key or keys have been actuated since the circuit is not closeduntil this master key is depressed. The use of this separate keycontrolling the switch I2 and I3 enables one of the keys in each of thecolumns to bevdepressed in any sequence so long as all are depressed`before the control key I2 closes the circuit through the switch I2, I3.

If the wrong key in any column Ais depressed, then as is customary incash registers and the like, it is only necessary to depress the correctkey when the iirst or incorrectly operated key will be automaticallyraised without affecting the sound producing mechanism since the delayaction or control switch I2 is not closed until the other keys have beencorrectly operated.

An especially noteworthy feature of this invention is the provision oftwo sound producing records for each of the unit keys whereby'it isunnecessary to increase the number of keys by having a separate key foreach of the teens. The timing Amechanism is believed to be a noteworthyfeature since it ensures-the correct timing'of the sounds from thedollars record, the l through the motor I4, the timer 32 of the soundrecords 33 andr 34 are all set in motion, By the time the desired dollarsegment has been bridged by its brushes the sound records will havegained their normal speed. Since the register motor,

which is in addition to the motor I4, is controlled by the segment 46,it Will be understood that all of the keys, including the control key,are releasedY by the registermotor breaking the circuit through themotor I4 and stopping the rotation of the timer and sound records.

On again closing the circuit and starting the motor I4 the timer mayrotate a substantial angular `distance while the sound records areattaining their desired speed and before any of the segments illustratedbridge their brushes, due to the angular location of the segments in theapproximate manner illustrated. The device illustrated is for useprimarily with cash registers of the type in which the depressed keysare held down until they are released by the register mechanism.

While the apparatus has been described using two motors, one for thetimer and sound records and the other for the register, it will beunderstood that one motor may be used to take the place of these two.Where one motor is used it4 means also including means responsive to thepowould be started by the control key and stopped bythe timer andinstead of having the segment 46 start a separate motor this segmentwould control an electromagnet clutch to start the desired mechanism inoperation from the already operating m'otor. Oi' course this lastexpedient is of interest principally with new registersto bemanui'actured, while the layout described is adapted to be applied as anattachment to existing registers. v

In the drawings-it will be understood that switches not numbered anddescribed specicalrect number resulting fromcombining any unit key withany tens key, means controlling the first means and including at leasttwo vcircuits controlled by each of the unit keys, and means responsiveto -the position of the tenskey numbered 1 for selecting either one ofthe two circuits controlled by the unit key which is actuated.

2. The combination with a key controlled mechanism including a number ofunit keys numbered between 1 and 9, and tens keys numbered between 1 and9, of means for audibly calling the correct number resulting fromcombining any unit key with any tens key, means controlling the firstmeans and including at least two circuits controlled by each of the unitkeys, said second sition fof the tens key numbered 1 for selecting`either one of the Atwo circuits controlled by the n unit key which isactuated, said second means further including a pair'of switchesactuated by each unit key, each switch controlling one of said vtwocircuits, one of said two circuits for each unit key passing through a.switch closed by the tens key numbered 1 when in normal position, the

' other circuit for each unit key .passing through record and controlledby the selected circuit.

3. In combination a key controlled mechanism,

including a plurality of unit keys, a plurality of pivotal arms, aplurality of sound records, and each arm carrying a stylus adapted tocooperate with one of said records, at least .one tens key numbered 1,three switches controlled by each of said keys, one of each set of threebeing closed when its key is in normal unactuated position,

two of each set of three switches being closed l when its key isactuated, each switch of eachv and a unit key are actuated approximatelytogether a. third circuit is closed through switches closed by bothkeys, each of said key controlled circuits effecting cooperation of oneof said pivotal -arms and lits stylus with one of the sound records.

` HAROLD CHASKIN.

